Sixth Cir. Rejects Computer Hacking Claims After Failed Merger

The Sixth Circuit cleared a company of alleged violations of the computer security laws by its IT administrator accessing emails of individuals associated with another after a planned merger fell apart.

Preserving emails between a failed deal’s partners in ancipation of litigation didn’t violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act or the Stored Communications Act, Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit wrote in a July 8 opinion.

The ruling affirms a May 2023 win for Stanley Dickson—former owner of the Detroit-area restaurant organization Epicurean Group—and his company, Dickson & Associates, ...